Hertsmere Borough Council has taken direct action against a Shenley resident after a long planning row.

The property, in Black Lion Hill, Shenley, was reported to the council by a member of the public in 2010 after the front garden was dug up to build a concrete driveway.

After a number of applications, appeals and judicial reviews, an enforcement notice was served on the property requiring the work to be reversed.

This was not carried out and led to the council's direct action to remove the hard driveway and reinstate the lawn at the householder’s cost.

Brett Leahy, from the council's planning department, said: "The driveway that has been built unlawfully at the front of the property presents concerns in terms of highway safety, visibility and the visual impact on the green belt.

"This direct action, the first of this type that we have undertaken, makes it clear that householders and developers should always seek the relevant permissions in order to carry out works to their properties. In those instances where individuals contravene planning requirements, we will take robust action."